Quick Overview
- 1#1: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor - Delivers comprehensive network monitoring with advanced SNMP polling, device discovery, fault management, and performance analytics.
- 2#2: PRTG Network Monitor - Offers intuitive monitoring of networks using hundreds of SNMP sensors for bandwidth, device status, and custom metrics with real-time alerts.
- 3#3: ManageEngine OpManager - Provides robust network management with SNMP-based monitoring for device health, traffic analysis, and configuration management.
- 4#4: Zabbix - Enterprise-grade open-source platform for SNMP trap processing, polling, and distributed monitoring of IT infrastructure.
- 5#5: Nagios XI - Commercial monitoring solution with extensive SNMP support for host, service, and network device surveillance and notifications.
- 6#6: WhatsUp Gold - Streamlines network discovery and monitoring via SNMP for performance tracking, mapping, and automated discovery.
- 7#7: Checkmk - Powerful IT monitoring tool featuring agentless SNMP checks for infrastructure, applications, and cloud environments.
- 8#8: LibreNMS - Open-source auto-discovering network monitoring system built around SNMP for devices, ports, and traffic graphs.
- 9#9: Icinga - Flexible monitoring framework with strong SNMP integration for real-time checks, dashboards, and alerting.
- 10#10: Zenoss Cloud - Cloud-based platform using SNMP for unified monitoring of hybrid IT environments with AI-driven insights.
These tools were chosen based on robust SNMP capabilities, feature richness (including polling, alerting, and analytics), ease of use, and overall value, with rankings reflecting adaptability to diverse environments such as hybrid setups and cloud infrastructure.
Comparison Table
SNMP monitoring software is essential for network administrators to monitor device performance, detect issues, and maintain network health. This comparison table explores leading tools including SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor, PRTG Network Monitor, ManageEngine OpManager, Zabbix, Nagios XI, and additional solutions, aiding readers in understanding key features, scalability, and best-fit use cases.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Delivers comprehensive network monitoring with advanced SNMP polling, device discovery, fault management, and performance analytics. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | PRTG Network Monitor Offers intuitive monitoring of networks using hundreds of SNMP sensors for bandwidth, device status, and custom metrics with real-time alerts. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | ManageEngine OpManager Provides robust network management with SNMP-based monitoring for device health, traffic analysis, and configuration management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Zabbix Enterprise-grade open-source platform for SNMP trap processing, polling, and distributed monitoring of IT infrastructure. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Nagios XI Commercial monitoring solution with extensive SNMP support for host, service, and network device surveillance and notifications. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | WhatsUp Gold Streamlines network discovery and monitoring via SNMP for performance tracking, mapping, and automated discovery. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Checkmk Powerful IT monitoring tool featuring agentless SNMP checks for infrastructure, applications, and cloud environments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | LibreNMS Open-source auto-discovering network monitoring system built around SNMP for devices, ports, and traffic graphs. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 9 | Icinga Flexible monitoring framework with strong SNMP integration for real-time checks, dashboards, and alerting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Zenoss Cloud Cloud-based platform using SNMP for unified monitoring of hybrid IT environments with AI-driven insights. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
Delivers comprehensive network monitoring with advanced SNMP polling, device discovery, fault management, and performance analytics.
Offers intuitive monitoring of networks using hundreds of SNMP sensors for bandwidth, device status, and custom metrics with real-time alerts.
Provides robust network management with SNMP-based monitoring for device health, traffic analysis, and configuration management.
Enterprise-grade open-source platform for SNMP trap processing, polling, and distributed monitoring of IT infrastructure.
Commercial monitoring solution with extensive SNMP support for host, service, and network device surveillance and notifications.
Streamlines network discovery and monitoring via SNMP for performance tracking, mapping, and automated discovery.
Powerful IT monitoring tool featuring agentless SNMP checks for infrastructure, applications, and cloud environments.
Open-source auto-discovering network monitoring system built around SNMP for devices, ports, and traffic graphs.
Flexible monitoring framework with strong SNMP integration for real-time checks, dashboards, and alerting.
Cloud-based platform using SNMP for unified monitoring of hybrid IT environments with AI-driven insights.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
enterpriseDelivers comprehensive network monitoring with advanced SNMP polling, device discovery, fault management, and performance analytics.
PerfStack™ timeline for correlating SNMP metrics across devices, applications, and infrastructure in a single view
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) is a leading SNMP monitoring solution that provides comprehensive visibility into network devices, interfaces, and performance metrics through robust SNMP polling and trap management. It automatically discovers devices via SNMP, monitors key metrics like bandwidth utilization, CPU/memory usage, and latency, and offers customizable dashboards, reports, and alerts for proactive issue resolution. With scalability for thousands of elements and integration with other SolarWinds tools, NPM is ideal for enterprise-grade network management.
Pros
- Extensive SNMP support with Universal Device Pollers for custom OIDs
- Intuitive web-based interface with drag-and-drop dashboards
- Advanced features like PerfStack for cross-correlation and intelligent alerting
Cons
- High initial and scaling costs for large deployments
- Resource-intensive on the monitoring server for very large environments
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Enterprise IT teams managing complex, large-scale networks requiring deep SNMP insights and automation.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription or perpetual licensing starting at ~$1,995 for 100 elements, scaling with monitored elements and add-ons.
PRTG Network Monitor
enterpriseOffers intuitive monitoring of networks using hundreds of SNMP sensors for bandwidth, device status, and custom metrics with real-time alerts.
Sensor-based architecture with 1,000+ built-in SNMP sensors and custom MIB support for unparalleled granularity
PRTG Network Monitor from Paessler is a comprehensive SNMP-based network monitoring solution that discovers, maps, and monitors devices, bandwidth, traffic, and applications across IT environments. It employs a flexible sensor model supporting thousands of SNMP OIDs for hardware vendors, custom MIBs, and performance metrics. With real-time alerting, historical reporting, and an intuitive web interface, PRTG scales from small networks to enterprise deployments.
Pros
- Extensive library of pre-configured SNMP sensors for diverse devices and metrics
- Powerful auto-discovery and dynamic mapping for quick SNMP setup
- Advanced alerting, reporting, and clustering for high availability
Cons
- Pricing model scales steeply with sensor count for large environments
- Core server is Windows-only, limiting deployment flexibility
- Steep learning curve for advanced custom SNMP configurations
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring scalable, feature-rich SNMP monitoring for complex networks.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 sensors; paid plans start at ~$1,750/year for 500 sensors, scaling per sensor with perpetual licenses available.
ManageEngine OpManager
enterpriseProvides robust network management with SNMP-based monitoring for device health, traffic analysis, and configuration management.
Advanced root cause analysis engine that correlates SNMP traps and polls for quick fault identification
ManageEngine OpManager is a robust network monitoring platform that uses SNMP protocols (v1, v2c, v3) to monitor devices, servers, interfaces, and applications across IT infrastructure. It provides real-time fault detection, performance metrics, customizable dashboards, and automated workflows triggered by SNMP data. Ideal for network admins, it excels in polling, trap processing, and MIB browsing for comprehensive visibility and proactive management.
Pros
- Strong SNMP support with MIB browser, trap receiver, and custom polling
- Scalable dashboards, 3D maps, and detailed reporting
- Integrated fault management with root cause analysis
Cons
- Complex initial setup for large-scale deployments
- Pricing escalates quickly with device count and add-ons
- UI can feel dated compared to modern alternatives
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise IT teams requiring in-depth SNMP monitoring for network performance and fault resolution.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 monitors; Professional starts at $395/year for 10 monitors, scaling to thousands; perpetual licenses and add-ons available.
Zabbix
enterpriseEnterprise-grade open-source platform for SNMP trap processing, polling, and distributed monitoring of IT infrastructure.
Low-Level Discovery (LLD) that automatically detects and monitors dynamic SNMP metrics like interfaces and sensors without manual configuration
Zabbix is an open-source enterprise-class monitoring solution that provides robust SNMP monitoring capabilities for networks, servers, cloud services, and applications. It supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3 with features like polling, trap processing, auto-discovery, and low-level discovery (LLD) for dynamic device monitoring. The platform offers customizable dashboards, alerting via multiple channels, and extensive reporting, making it ideal for large-scale IT environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive SNMP support including auto-discovery, traps, and LLD for scalable monitoring
- Highly customizable templates and scripting for complex SNMP environments
- Proven scalability for thousands of devices with proxy support for distributed setups
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial configuration
- User interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- Resource-intensive for very high-frequency SNMP polling without optimization
Best For
Enterprise IT teams and network administrators managing large, complex infrastructures who require advanced, customizable SNMP monitoring at no licensing cost.
Pricing
Core software is free and open-source; optional paid support contracts from Zabbix SIA start at around $2,500/year, with cloud-hosted options from $100/month.
Nagios XI
enterpriseCommercial monitoring solution with extensive SNMP support for host, service, and network device surveillance and notifications.
Advanced SNMP trap receiver with rule-based processing and correlation for proactive incident detection
Nagios XI is a robust, enterprise-grade monitoring platform from Nagios Enterprises that provides comprehensive SNMP monitoring for network devices, servers, and infrastructure. It supports SNMPv1, v2c, and v3 polling for metrics like bandwidth, CPU, memory, and interface status, along with trap processing and auto-discovery. The solution offers customizable dashboards, reporting, and alerting through its web-based interface, making it suitable for IT teams managing complex environments.
Pros
- Extensive SNMP support including polling, traps, and bulk walks for efficient data collection
- Highly customizable with thousands of plugins and wizards for quick SNMP configuration
- Scalable architecture with strong reporting, graphing, and multi-tenant capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configurations and plugin management
- Resource-intensive on the monitoring server at large scales without optimization
- Higher pricing model limits appeal for small teams or budgets
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with diverse network infrastructures needing customizable, scalable SNMP monitoring.
Pricing
Starts at $1,995/year for Standard Edition (100 hosts), with Enterprise tiers from $2,995 (250 hosts) and custom pricing for larger deployments.
WhatsUp Gold
enterpriseStreamlines network discovery and monitoring via SNMP for performance tracking, mapping, and automated discovery.
Dynamic, interactive network topology maps that auto-discover and visualize SNMP-monitored devices in real-time
WhatsUp Gold is a robust network monitoring platform that leverages SNMP for polling devices, receiving traps, and tracking performance metrics across networks. It excels in automated discovery, real-time topology mapping, and customizable dashboards for visualizing SNMP data from routers, switches, servers, and virtual environments. The tool supports multi-vendor environments with WMI, SSH, and other protocols alongside SNMP, providing alerting, reporting, and scalability for distributed polling.
Pros
- Excellent SNMP trap processing and MIB support for detailed device monitoring
- Intuitive dynamic network maps that update in real-time
- Flexible scalability with distributed polling for large or multi-site networks
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller organizations with per-device licensing
- User interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
- Initial setup and configuration can be complex for advanced customizations
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams in enterprises needing visual SNMP-based network oversight and automated discovery.
Pricing
Quote-based perpetual or subscription licensing starting around $2,000 for 100 devices, scaling per monitored element.
Checkmk
enterprisePowerful IT monitoring tool featuring agentless SNMP checks for infrastructure, applications, and cloud environments.
Automatic SNMP inventory and configuration discovery that dynamically sets up monitoring without manual intervention
Checkmk is a powerful, open-source IT monitoring platform that provides extensive SNMP-based monitoring for network devices, servers, and applications. It features automatic device discovery, SNMP polling, trap processing, and detailed performance graphing through its intuitive web interface. Built on a rules-based system, it scales efficiently for large environments while supporting SNMP v1/v2c/v3.
Pros
- Comprehensive SNMP support with over 200 pre-built checks and auto-discovery
- Scalable architecture for thousands of devices with efficient polling
- Strong alerting and visualization via modern web UI
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced configuration
- Resource-intensive on the monitoring server at very large scales
- Some advanced features locked behind paid Enterprise edition
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises requiring robust, agentless SNMP monitoring for complex network infrastructures.
Pricing
Free Raw Edition (open source); Enterprise Edition starts at ~€600/year for 250 hosts, scales with host count.
LibreNMS
specializedOpen-source auto-discovering network monitoring system built around SNMP for devices, ports, and traffic graphs.
Automatic SNMP-based device discovery and polling engine that supports an unmatched breadth of vendors and models out-of-the-box
LibreNMS is a powerful open-source network monitoring platform that uses SNMP for automatic device discovery, polling, and monitoring across thousands of device models from various vendors. It offers comprehensive dashboards, performance graphs, alerting, and reporting to track network health, bandwidth usage, and device status in real-time. Designed for scalability, it supports integrations like Oxidized for configuration backups and provides extensive customization through its community-driven development.
Pros
- Fully open-source and free with no licensing costs
- Excellent SNMP auto-discovery supporting over 30,000 device types
- Active community, frequent updates, and robust alerting system
Cons
- Installation and advanced configuration require Linux expertise
- UI feels dated and less intuitive compared to commercial alternatives
- Can be resource-intensive for very large deployments without optimization
Best For
Network administrators in small to medium-sized organizations seeking a highly customizable, cost-free SNMP monitoring solution.
Pricing
Completely free and open-source under the GPL license; no paid tiers or subscriptions.
Icinga
enterpriseFlexible monitoring framework with strong SNMP integration for real-time checks, dashboards, and alerting.
Dynamic applied checks enable runtime SNMP configuration changes without service restarts
Icinga is a powerful open-source monitoring platform forked from Nagios, offering comprehensive SNMP monitoring for network devices, servers, and applications through extensible plugins. It supports SNMPv1, v2c, and v3 polling, trap handling, and custom MIB parsing for detailed metrics collection. With Icinga 2's modern architecture, it scales efficiently for enterprise environments while providing alerting, dashboards, and integrations with tools like Graphite.
Pros
- Extensive SNMP plugin library including check_snmp and trap processing
- Highly scalable with clustering for large SNMP-monitored networks
- Free open-source core with strong community support
Cons
- Configuration via files or Director module has a steep learning curve
- Web UI requires additional setup for optimal SNMP visualizations
- Relies on external tools for advanced graphing of SNMP data
Best For
Sysadmins and IT teams in mid-sized to enterprise environments needing flexible, cost-free SNMP monitoring with high customization.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional commercial modules, support, and Icinga Cloud hosting from €15/host/month.
Zenoss Cloud
enterpriseCloud-based platform using SNMP for unified monitoring of hybrid IT environments with AI-driven insights.
Dynamic Topology Mapper that uses SNMP data for real-time, interactive service dependency visualization
Zenoss Cloud is a cloud-based IT monitoring platform that uses SNMP protocols for automated discovery, modeling, and performance monitoring of network devices, servers, and infrastructure in hybrid environments. It correlates SNMP traps and polls with other data sources to provide root-cause analysis, alerting, and predictive insights. The solution is designed for scalability, handling large-scale deployments with service impact visualization.
Pros
- Strong SNMP v1/v2c/v3 support with automated device modeling and topology mapping
- Scalable architecture for enterprise-level monitoring with high data throughput
- Extensive ZenPack ecosystem for custom SNMP extensions and integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for configuration and custom modeling
- Complex UI that can overwhelm beginners
- Pricing scales quickly for smaller environments, reducing value for SMBs
Best For
Large enterprises with complex hybrid IT infrastructures requiring deep SNMP monitoring and service impact analysis.
Pricing
Quote-based SaaS pricing starting around $5,000/month for mid-tier plans, based on assets monitored; free trial available.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools span a spectrum of capabilities, from enterprise-grade robustness to user-friendly simplicity, all leveraging SNMP for effective network monitoring. At the top, SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor stands out as the definitive choice, excelling in comprehensive feature sets. Close behind, PRTG Network Monitor and ManageEngine OpManager offer strong alternatives—PRTG for intuitive setup and ManageEngine for robust configuration management—catering to varied user needs.
Boost your network visibility by exploring SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor; start a trial or demo today to experience its powerful SNMP-driven insights firsthand.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison